Nikki hadn’t said anything during the entire ride back from her doctor. He told her that she and our baby were both perfectly healthy, and that she could give birth any day now. She looked out the window and bit her lip while I drove. I reached over and squeezed her hand with my free one. She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. I knew that she would talk when she was ready and that there wasn’t any use in rushing her to tell me.
I flipped through the radio stations until I found a soothing classical station. I hoped that would help ease her nerves.
“No, thanks,” she said, reaching up and scanning through until she found the local Top 40 station. “Glamorous” was playing on the radio and she softly sang along.
“You know,” she finally said, “As happy as I am that we are having a little boy, I do hope that we have a little girl someday.”
“A beautiful little girl, just like her mom,” I said.
Nikki smiled “With your natural curly hair. She’ll be adorable.”
I ran my hand through my hair, which I had recently shaved shorter than I ever had before. I started noticing a few grays and I thought it was a good alternative to dying it. With a newborn baby on the way and a busier tour schedule than ever with the addition of the walks, I wouldn’t have much time to fool with hair.
“Well, let’s just hope she gets more of her looks from you than from me,”
“Our boys will be handsome like you, but I can’t imagine you as a girl.”
“Tell the magazines from the nineties that. They said we all looked like girls.”
“Well, the magazines lied. I always thought you all were handsome.”
“You told me that your friends dragged you to the concert.”
She looked down and blushed, brushing a long strand of hair behind her ear.
“Well, I’m sure I told you that. Men are like car salesmen. Show a little bit of interest and they are all over you,”
“Oh yeah, I always seem to forget how much you have to go through.” As much as Nikki worried about me being around women, I worried more about her. Sure, women could be crazy, but men could be dangerous. Some men couldn’t take no for an answer. I had seen more of my fair share of things in back allies behind venues. I always sent security out there, but usually both parties would deny anything went on.
“I’m just glad I found you to take care of me.
“Me too. You know I always will.”
She kissed my hand. “I know, darling.”
She didn’t say anything else the rest of the way to our house.
“I’m worn out. I’m going to lay down for a little bit,” she said, making her way back to our bedroom.
Taylor and Zac weren’t expecting me to come into the studio, so I said “That sounds like a good plan. Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not. Might as well sleep while we can.”
I feel asleep to the sound of her humming softly to our baby and dreamed of our little family.
***************
“Isaac,” Nikki shook me awake.
“Hmm?” I rolled over. I knew as soon as I opened my eyes. “I’ll help you to the car then get our bags,” I told her.
“Can you help me into my dress first?” She was leaning heavily on our dresser to keep herself upright.
“Oh, yes.”
I helped her over to sit on the edge of our bed, then slipped the dress over her head. “Thank you,” she said.
“Let’s get you to the car. I’ll call the doctor while we are on the way.”